3tsZcLwEWr8

Mr Huang sent links featuring the Cruquius Machine – the largest Cornish engine surviving in the world (according to the site, at least – I have not yet gone around with a tape measure to check). Cornish engines were generally used for pumping water out of mines, but this particular engine is stunning in its enormity! At about 45 seconds into the video, you see an exterior shot of the building that houses it – and the huge arms rising the falling around it! Most impressive.

There’s so many beautiful photographs of the engine too – from schematics (stunning and baffling) to beautiful valve shots (ahem). This engine writ large on the surrounding landscape inspires me to think of multitudes of Steampunk buildings in graceful motion, like brick and iron jellyfish trying fruitlessly to rise up through the fluid air. Perhaps on the next stroke? (Bonus points too for the lovely iron spiral staircase in the video background.) Thanks, Crabfu!

[Edit:  Curses - embedding is disallowed.  Still, clicking on it will arrive you at the video in question.  My apologies (I didn't even know you could do that.)]